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Wisdom

Bestselling Author Comforts 1000s With Peaceful Promises For Anyone Grieving A Loss.

Beverly L. Jenkins
Posted: September 10, 2021

Internationally bestselling author Clare Mackintosh is best-known for her edge-of-your-seat crime thrillers, but behind the scenes, she’s a mother who has experienced the ultimate loss.

Over fourteen years ago, her son passed away due to brain damage caused by meningitis. After more than a decade, Clare is finally on the other side of the mountain of grief she’s had to overcome, but the pain of losing a loved one never really leaves us.

woman giving interview with short blonde hair and black shirt
YouTube

With that in mind, she took to Twitter to offer words of comfort and wisdom to others who may be struggling with their own grief right now.
Twitter posts read: I promise this will not always be the first thing you think about in the morning. I promise you won't always lie away at night, sobbing until you can't breathe. I promise you will not always feel that hard lump in your throat, like grief is a rock that cannot be moved. It can. I promise those waves of grief that knock you off your feet will become smaller, less violent. You will be able to stand and let them wash around you, not over you.
Twitter posts read: I promise walking won't always feel like you're dragging your legs through treacle; breathing won't always be something you have to remember to do. You will do both these things effortlessly again. I promise you won't always be winded by someone else's happiness - their social media updates and photographs. You will smile and feel glad that they have something so special, and that you once had it too. I promise you will be able to say their name without crying. That you will share a memory and feel wistful; sad, but not broken. I promise you will not always have to take the day off work on anniversaries, because you are unable to function. You will find something special to mark it, or you will treat it like any other day, and either is okay.
I promise it won't always hurt like this. Fourteen years ago a woman made me these promises, and I didn't believe her. I sobbed silently as she told me how the years had healed her, and I thought she was wrong. My grief was different. You'll think I'm wrong too, but in fourteen years' time - or twelve, or five, or nine... - you will realize the rock of grief in your throat has washed away, and you will make these promises to someone else. Until then, be gentle on yourself. Grief can't be rushed, and this is a particularly hard year in which to suffer a loss. Much love to you
Twitter

There’s so much hard-won wisdom in Clare’s words. We’d like to join her in wishing peace, love, and acceptance to anyone reading this story who is missing a loved one.

Share these powerful reminders with anyone who needs them.

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